Drapery hanger



O. M. PREHM DRAPERY HANGER Nov. 29, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 21, 1957 O. M` PREHM DRAPERY HANGER Nov. 29, 1960 2 Shepts-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 2l. 1957 INVENTOR. @fa /M //e/n Aff/V.

Patented Nov. 29, 1960 DRAPERY HANGER Ora M. Prehm, E. 2011 Courtland, Spokane 27, Wash.

Filed Nov. 21, 1957, Ser. No. 697,851

7 Claims. (Cl. 16 87.4)

The present invention relates to improvements in drapery hangers. It is the principal purpose of this invention to provide a drapery hanger which is adapted to secure a drapery to a drapery support rod in such a manner that the drapery is positively secured to the support rod and the securing hanger is completely concealed from view.

More specifically it is the purpose of this invention to provide a hangeradapted for use with draperies of the type having a heading thereon which includes a fabric portion positioned against the back side of the drapery along the upper edge and secured, as by sewing, to from between it and the drapery one or more downwardly facing pockets; said drapery hanger having a jaw portion insertible upwardly in the pocket formed in the heading, and having a second jaw positioned outside of the pocket and `adapted to clamp through the fabric portion of the heading against the first jaw to secure the drapery on the hanger, said hanger having means to support the hanger and drapery to a draping supporting rod.

The exact nature and advantages of my invention will appear more fully from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein the preferred forms lof the invention are shown. It should be understood, however, that the description and drawings are illustrative only, and are not intended to limit the invention except insofar as it is limited by the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a hanger made in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View illustrating the hanger in place to support a drapery on a supporting rod;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating a modified form of the invention;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 2, but showing the modified hanger in place to support a draper on a supporting rod;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 7 7 of Figure 5 Figure 8 is a sectional View taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 9 9 of Figure 2, but showing a modified pivot means for connecting the jaws of the hanger together; and

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of one of the jaws of the hanger illustrating the formation of the pivot means shown in Figure 9.

As hereinbefore stated, the principal object of my invention is to provide concealed means for supporting draperies on drapery supporting rods. My invention is particularly adapted for use with the type of drapery having a top hem or heading which is formed to provide one or more downwardly facing pockets on the back or reverse side of the drapery. I have shown a drapery at 10 in the drawings which has a heading generally indicated at 11. The heading 11 is shown as comprising a folded over fabric portion 12, positioned against the reverse side `of the drapery 10iv and secured thereto along a horizontal stitch line 13, kand along spaced apart vertical stitch lines 14. The fabric portion 12 is hemmed at its lower edge as shown at 15. The hemmed edge 15 is not secured to the drapery 10 except along the vertical stitch line 14, so the portion 12 forms with the drapery 10, a plurality of downwardly facing pockets 16 on the reverse side of the drapery 10. It will be understood, of course, that the heading construction shown and described herein is but one of many constructions which provide downwardly facing pockets, such as the pockets 16. I do not intend that my invention should be limited to use only with draperies having heading constructions of the type hereinbefore described, since it is obvious that any heading construction which provides one or more downwardly facing pockets such as the pockets 16, illustrated in the drawings, is sufficient.

Draperies of the type indicated at 10 in the drawings are used as window decorations and coverings. They are normally suspended by supporting rods secured to the window frame along the upper edge thereof in such a manner that the draperies'10 may either be gathered at the opposite sides of the window `as ornaments, or drawn together in fro-nt of the Window to form la covering therefor. In Figures l and 2 of the drawings, I have illustrated a drapery rod 17 of a common variety. 'I'he rod 17 is substantially C-shaped in cross section and has therein a plurality of slides or gliders 18. The gliders 18 include outwardly and downwardly projecting brackets 19 to which the draperies 10 are secured. The brackets 19, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2, have apertures 19a therein. To secure the draperies 10 to the glider brackets 19, my improved drapery hangers, generally indicated at 20 in Figures 1-3, are utilized. Each of the hangers 20 comprises two spaced yapart vertical jaw members 21 and 22. The jaw member 21 has thereon a pair of spaced apart ears 23 which extend therefrom toward the jaw 22. 'Ihe jaw 22 has thereon a pair of spaced apart ears 24 which extend therefrom toward the jaw 21 and which overlap with the ears 23. A pivot pin 25 extends through the ears 23 and the ears 24 to pivot the jaws 21 and 22 together. As best shown in Figures 1 and 3, the portion of the jaw 21 above the pivot pin 25 is bifurcated to form a pair of fingers 21a and 2lb. The fingers 21a and 2lb are inserted upwardly into the Pocket 16 in the heading 11 of the drapery 10 to support the drapery 10 from the hanger 20. The jaw 22 of the hanger 20 is also bifurcated at its upper end to provide a pair of fingers 22a and 22b. A short distance from the upper ends of the fingers 22a and 22h a cross bar 26 is provided. 'I'he cross bar 26 has thereon a sharpened prong 27 which extends perpendicularly from the fingers 22a and 22h toward the fingers 21a and 2117 of the jaw member 21. The jaw 22 of the hanger Ztl is positioned behind the glider bracket 19 suspended from the supporting rod 17,' and the prong 27 is inserted through the `aperture 19a therein to support the hanger 20 from the bracket 19. In this manner the drapery 10 is supported through the hanger 20 on the glider bracket 19 of the supporting rod 17.

In order to urge the jaws 21 and 22 of the hanger 20 together, a substantially U-shaped spring member 28 is provided between the lower ends of the jaws 21 and 22. As best shown in Figure 2, the opposite `ends of the spring 28 engage with the jafws 21 and 22 `at a distance below the pivot 25. The tendency of the spring 28 to straighten itself urges the lower portions of the jaws 21 and 22 apart, thus forcing the upper ends of the jaws 21 and 22 toward each other. As shown in Figure 2, the lower edges of the jaws 21 and 22 are rolled inwardly as indicated `at 29 and 30 to prevent the spring 28 from slipping tout of place.

When the hanger 20 is in place with the lingers 21a and 21b of its j'aw 21 inserted into the pocket 16 of the heading 11, and with the prong 27 of its jaw 22 inserted through the aperture 19a of the glider bracket 19 the spring 28 forces the upper ends of the jaws 21 and 22 together, thereby causing the sharpened prong 27 lto pierce orpinch'the fabric portion 12, thereby gripping the heading 11 securely between the jaws 21 and 22 to positively hold the drapery in place. Since the hanger 20 extends downwardly below the supporting rod 17 behind the drapery 1l), it is entirely concealed from View. The hanger 20 is easily inserted and removed by gripping the portions ofthe jaws 21 and 22 below the pivot 25 and forcing th'em together to open the upper ends of the jaws 21 and 22 to the position shown in Figure l. When the hanger 20 is held with its jaws 21 and 22 apart, the ngers 21a and 2lb may readily be inserted into the pocket `16 of the drapery 10, and the prong 27 may readily be inserted through theaperture 19a in the glider bracket 19.

It will be noted that in Figure 1 the crossrod 26-is shown as having a downwardly extending pointed portion 26a thereon lying in the plane of the lingers 22a and 22h. This portion 26a forms an auxiliary prong which may be bent outwardly-in the direction of the prong 27 in the event that the prong 27 is broken olf or damaged.

In Figures 448 inclusive, I have shown a modified form of the invention which is usable to support draperies il? from either at or round drapery rods of the type shown at 31 which have no depending glider brackets. Where drapery rods suchas the rod 31 are utilized to support the draperies 10 it is necessary to provide a drapery hanger which is supported on the rod 31 'for sliding movement thereon to permit the draperies 10 to be drawn or withdrawn in front of the window. The modified drapery hanger illustrated at 32 in Figures L8 comprises a pair of substantially vertically extending jaws V'33 and 34. The jaw 33 is provided with a pair of spaced-apart perpendicularlyextending ears 3S and the jaw 34 is provided with a pair of spaced-apart perpeudicularly extending ears 36. The ears 35 and 36 overlap with each other and are pivoted togetherby means of pivot pin 37 as inthe main form of the invention. The portion of the jaw 33 'above the pivot pin 37 is divided into three upwardly extending lingers 33a, 33b and 33C. The'lingers 33a and 33e are co-planar with the remainder of the jaw 33, but the middle linger 33b is bent outwardly and then upwardly at its base so that it extends parallel to the jaws 33a and 33C but is spaced a short distance away from them in a direction toward the opposite jaw 34. The lingers 33a and 33C are inserted upwardly into the pocket 16 in the heading 11 of the drapery Ill so that the fabric portion 12 of the heading 11 is positioned between the lingers 33a and 33C and the linger 33b. In this manner the drapery 10 is supported on the hanger 32.

The portion of' the jaw 34 above the pivot 37 is offset outwardly from the main body 'of the jaw 34 as clearly indicated in Figures 4 and 5 by a horizontal outwardly extending portion 38. The upper end of the jaw 34 is curved inwardly so that it extends toward the jaw 33. This inwardly curved upper portion is divided into three prongs 34a, 34b and 34C. The prongs 34a and 34:,l are sharpened and extend at right angles to the jaw 34 in a direction toward the opposite jaw 33. The 4middle linger 34b is curved downwardly so that it forms a hook at the top of the jaw 34 that extends over the supporting rod 31 to support the hanger 32 thereon.

In order to urge the upper ends of the jaws 33 and 34 together, 4a spring 39 is-provided between the-jaws 33 and 34 below vthe pivot 37. The'spring`39 is constructed in the same manner as the spring 28 in the main form of the invention and performs the same function. Thus when the hanger 32 is in place with the lingers 33a and 33e in the pocket 16 of the heading 11 and with the hooked linger 34b over the supporting rod 31, the spring 39 urges the prongs 34a and 34C of the jaw 34 toward the lingers 33a and 33e of the jaw 33 to pierce or pinch the fabric portion 12 to positively secure the drapery 10 in place. It will be noted from the drawings that the upper end of the middle linger 33b of the jaw 33 is curved outwardly as indicated to engage with the downwardly curved end of the middle finger 34b of the jaw 34 when the jaws 33 and 34 are allowed to close. The overlapping of the portion 33b with the finger 34b prevents the hanger 32 from jumping olf of the supporting rod 31.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the hanger 32 positively secures the drapery 10 to the supporting rod 31 for movement along the rod 31. In order to prevent binding as the hanger 32 is 'moved along the rod 31, I'bow each ofthe lingers 34a, 34b and 34C upwardly to a slight degree as indicated in Figure 8 to prevent the edges thereof from contacting the rod 31 and impeding progress of the hanger 32 therealong.

It will be appreciated that while the hangers 20 and 32 are of somewhat different constructions, leach performs the s'ame functionin the same manner. Each of the hangers 20 and 32 comprises a pair of spaced apart vertical jaws pivoted together intermediate their ends and having spring means urging the upper ends of the jaws toward each other. One jaw of each hanger includes linger portions which are `inserted upwardly into the pocket 16 of the heading 11 of the `drapery 110 to support drapery 10 on the hanger. The opposite jaw of each of the hangers 20 and 32 includes a portion at its upper end which engages with and supports the hanger to the supporting rod, and included sharpened prong means which extend toward the first named jaw topierce or pinch the fabric portion 12 of the heading 11`to positively secure vthe drapery 10 to the hanger 20 or 32. It is this concept that I consider as my invention, and I do not intend that my invention should be limited to the specific details of the construction of either of the hanger 20 or 32.

While I have shown each of the hangers 20 and 32 as pivoted together by means of a transverse pin 25 or 37, I do not intend that my invention should be limited to this construction, for it is obvious that this is but one of many possible means of pivoting the jaws of `the hangers 20and 32 together. For example, I have-shown in VFigures 9 and 10, a modilied pivot means which does not utilize a separate transverse pivot pin. As illustrated in these figures, the pivot 'may be 'formed by punching a short pivot pin 41 out of each of theears of one of the jaw members, for example, the ears 23 on the jaw member 21 of the hanger 20. The ears `24 of the jaw member 22 may be pivoted on the.pins 41 in the same manner that they are pivoted on the pivot pin 25.

It should be apparent from the foregoing'thatmy invention provides a novel and useful hanger for positively securing the drapery to a drapery supporting'rod. The drapery hanger made in accordance with my invention engages with both the drapery andthe drapery supporting rodin such a manner that the drapery is positively secured to the drapery rod and cannot` be removed'therefrom except by pivoting the upper ends of the jaws of the hanger apart against the force 'of the springimeans which urge the upper ends of the jaws together. The drapery is thus secured against accidental dislodgement during the operations of drawing and withdrawingit in front of therwindow, and during other operations such as cleaning, etc. during which the drapery is moved or shaken.

It is believed that the nature and advantage of my invention appear clearly from the foregoing.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A drapery hanger for hanging on a supporting rod a drapery having a heading at its upper edge which includes a fabric portion secured to the reverse side of the drapery and forming a downwardly facing pocket on the reverse side of the drapery near its upper edge, said hanger comprising a pair of vertical jaws pivoted together on a transverse axis intermediate their upper and lower ends, one of said jaws having straight upwardly extended finger means to seat in the drapery pocket, the other jaw having at its upper end support means thereon slidably engaging the rod and having pointed prong means thereon directed toward the finger means, said prong means being adapted to grip said fabric portion in its engaged position on the drapery, and spring means connected to said jaws urging the upper ends thereof together.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the support means comprises a glider bracket apertured to receive said prong means.

3. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the finger means comprises two spaced apart ngers and the prong means is between the fingers.

4. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the support means comprises a hook and the prong means extend beyond the hook toward the finger means.

5. A drapery hanger for hanging on a supporting rod a drapery having a heading at its upper edge which includes a fabric portion secured to the reverse side of the drapery and forming a downwardly facing pocket on the reverse side of the drapery near its upper edge, said hanger comprising a pair of vertical jaws pivoted together on a transverse axis intermediate their upper and lower ends, one of said jaws being divided above the pivotal connection along vertical lines providing two spaced upwardly extending fingers to Seat in the drapery pocket, the other jaw having adjacent its upper end a prong directed toward the space between the ngers, and spring means Aconnected to the jaws and urging the upper ends of the jaws together, whereby said prong is adapted to grip said fabric portion when engaged in the drapery.

6. The invention dened in claim 5 with a glider having an aperture through which said prong extends.

7. A drapery hanger for hanging on a supporting rod a drapery having a heading at its upper edge which includes a fabric portion secured to the reverse side of the drapery and forming a downwardly facing pocket on the reverse side of the drapery near its upper edge, said hanger comprising a pair of vertical jaws pivoted together on a transverse axis intermediate the upper and lower ends, one of said jaws being divided above the pivotal connection along vertical lines providing two spaced upwardly extending ngers to seat in the drapery pocket, the other jaw having adjacent its upper end a central prong directed toward the space between said lingers and curved downwardly and two sharp prongs directed one toward each iinger, said prong being formed so as to grip the said fabric portion adjacent to their respective fingers when engaged on the drapery.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,699,037 Whitmore Jan. 15, 1929 2,512,376 Perlmutter June 20, 1950 2,575,642 Sylvanus Nov. 20, 1951 2,754,903 Czetli et al. July 17, 1956 2,822,869 Shayrnan Feb. 11, 1958 0,840,874 Sauerman July 1, 1958 2,863,164 Schesvold Dec. 9, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 9,352 Great Britain of 1914 485,454 Germany Dec. 2.9, 1928 

